Sep 19, 2026, 11:07 AM ET

Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman (lat) felt some tightness in his lat while working out before Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers and has not pitched since. Chapman said that he will not pitch this weekend against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but he expects to return during the final homestand of the regular season, which starts on Tuesday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. The veteran southpaw downplayed the injury on Friday, saying that the Red Sox are being conservative and that he felt healthy enough to play catch before the series opener against the Rays, but the team told him not to. "I'm not worried at all," Chapman said. "From the first time I felt it to today, I feel very good. I was going to go out and throw, but the team wants to take it slow, and they want me to take my time." Fantasy managers will be without Chapman this weekend, but for championship matchups next week, he will hopefully be ready to return to ninth-inning duties. The 38-year-old has been excellent in 2026 in his second year in Boston, posting a 1.95 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP, 34 saves, and 68 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings pitched. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock should handle a save situation this weekend if it arises in Tampa.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne

Sep 19, 2026, 11:05 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson chipped in nine carries for 31 yards in Week 1's loss to the Steelers and was not targeted in the passing game. That type of single-digit carry production is likely the production that managers will get out of the former third-rounder when games are competitive, and this week's matchup against the Panthers looks like it could be another tightly contested one. It is an enticing matchup, though, one that saw two Bears running backs go over 100 yards rushing last week and score four touchdowns, but the Atlanta offense under Cooper Rush is not the Chicago offense under Caleb Williams. The mouthwatering matchup perhaps gives the 27-year-old a slight boost in his ranking this week, but he still projects as just a flex/RB5 at RotoBaller or a risky lottery ticket GPP play in DFS. Even so, he remains one of the top handcuffs in the event anything were to happen to Bijan Robinson.--Jarod Rupp
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 11:05 AM ET

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas remains the WR3 for quarterback Joe Burrow, but he has a lot of competition for targets heading into a Week 2 road matchup against the Houston Texans. In a Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Iosivas saw three targets and recorded two receptions for just 12 yards. He was behind in targets to tight end Mike Gesicki (seven), running back Chase Brown (six), and fellow wideouts Tee Higgins (six) and Ja'Marr Chase (four), but he had identical production to Chase. Iosivas played 39 offensive snaps, which was the third-most among Cincinnati wide receivers, behind Chase (60) and Higgins (46). Iosivas played 59.3% of his snaps in the slot, and 40.7% on snaps out wide in Week 1. He is projected to score 4.0 points against the Texans and checks in as RotoBaller's No. 91 wide receiver for Week 2, indicating he is safe to leave on the waiver wire and out of lineups.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 10:53 AM ET

Florida wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (ankle) will dress and go through warm-ups before being a game-time decision as the Gators get set to take on Auburn, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Singleton is an Auburn transfer who recorded 58 receptions for 534 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 14 carries for 61 yards with the Tigers in 2025. He has yet to take the field as a Gator. Singleton Jr. is RotoBaller's 112th-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score 6.1 fantasy points if he is healthy enough to suit up. Auburn has allowed opponents to pass for 252 yards per game through its first two matchups of the year.--Alex Brasky
Source: Pete Nakos/On3

Sep 19, 2026, 10:46 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (back) logged a limited practice session on Wednesday with a back issue, but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday and enters a Week 2 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals without an injury designation. He will look to stay involved in the offense against the Cardinals after seeing three targets and recording two receptions for 35 yards in a Week 1 victory over the Patriots. Kupp's 35 yards ranked second on the team behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba (122), while he was tied for second on the team in both targets and receptions. Kupp played 39 snaps, which was the second-most for Seattle's wide receivers behind Smith-Njigba (45). With starting quarterback Sam Darnold out, Kupp will need to build a connection with Drew Lock, who will start while Darnold is inactive. Kupp is projected to score 5.8 points (half-PPR) this week, but is off the radar and currently ranks as RotoBaller's No. 75 wideout for Week 2. It is not necessary to have Kupp in your lineup, but his situation is worth paying attention to moving forward.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 10:45 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson carried the load for the Falcons in Week 1, racking up 173 yards of total offense, which included 83 yards on the ground and 90 yards through the air, adding a receiving touchdown for the team's only score. The former first-rounder should be heavily involved again in Week 2 as the team takes on Carolina on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers were a bottom-third unit last season at defending the run, yielding 122.9 yards per contest, and 2026 could be worse. The Panthers were trampled by the Bears' running backs last week, allowing 224 yards on the ground along with four rushing touchdowns (an additional 65 rush yards and two scores were added by Caleb Williams). This matchup projects as a tight one with just a 2.5-point spread, but Robinson should be the focal point of the offense regardless of game script and sets up as a top-three option at running back again this week.--Jarod Rupp
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker missed the Ravens' Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts due to a groin injury. Still, he completed three full practices and shed his injury designation ahead of the Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints. His fellow wide receivers are not as fortunate. The team's WR1, Zay Flowers (hamstring), is doubtful for Sunday's contest, and promising rookie receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) was placed on IR after Wednesday's surgery for a fractured wrist. Walker has primarily been on the outside looking in, but he likely will see an uptick in usage against the Saints as the Ravens enter Week 2 slightly thin at the position. Last week against the Detroit Lions, the Saints gave up over 30 fantasy points to the wide receiver position and 204 total passing yards, which demonstrates the Saints' defense is exploitable through the air. In Week 2 of 2025, Walker hauled in two targets for two receptions, both for touchdowns. Fantasy managers interested in starting Walker this week hope lightning will strike again in Week 2. Moreover, in his seven career games with targets since being drafted in 2024, he has four touchdowns on just 11 targets and seven receptions. Ranked WR87 by Rotoballer, he is a desperation play outside the deepest leagues but an interesting DFS dart throw for those interested in his home run-hitting abilities.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Sep 19, 2026, 10:38 AM ET

Running back Darius Taylor will miss Minnesota's Week 3 matchup with Akron on Saturday due to a lower-body injury, according to ESPN's Pete Thames. Per Thames, Taylor went through a medical warm-up in the hours leading up to the game, and it has been determined that he will be sidelined against the Zips. The Gophers' running back has led the way out of the Minnesota backfield, carrying the ball 20 times for 71 yards and three touchdowns through his team's first two games of the season. He has also recorded four receptions for 36 yards. Without Taylor, who is RotoBaller's RB15, the Gophers will likely turn to TJ Thomas, who has totaled 10 carries for 51 yards, along with six receptions for 63 yards, as their second option out of the backfield.--Alex Brasky
Source: Pete Thamel/ESPN

Sep 19, 2026, 10:30 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. saw seven carries for 41 yards and was not involved in the passing game in a 27-13 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. He played well behind starter Ashton Jeanty, who saw 50 offensive snaps, compared to just 13 snaps for Washington. Entering a Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington will continue to play behind Jeanty, but he should see some touches of his own. Earlier this week, Las Vegas offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko called Washington an "explosive" player and mentioned that the Raiders want to "maximize his talents." In a Week 1 loss, the Chargers allowed the Arizona Cardinals to rush for 116 yards and a touchdown, although L.A. only allowed 3.4 yards per carry. Washington enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's No. 56 running back, and he is projected to score 3.2 points. Washington does not offer much more appeal than a desperation flex play.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 10:27 AM ET

University of Buffalo will start sophomore quarterback Jason Wright against No. 14 Penn State on Saturday, as Elijah Holmes deals with a knee injury that will prevent him from dressing against the Nittany Lions. Wright entered the Bulls' Week 2 game against Florida International and completed 13 of 27 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing an interception. He was sacked twice. Wright is a dual-threat quarterback, but was limited to -3 yards rushing on two attempts against FIU last week. While redshirting last season, he carried the ball 15 times for 43 yards. Buffalo takes on a Nittany Lions defense this week that has allowed just 105 yards passing per game and nine total points through two games.--Alex Brasky
Source: Pete Thames/ESPN

Sep 19, 2026, 10:20 AM ET

North Carolina defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude (hand, wrist) is out for North Carolina's Week 3 matchup with Clemson, according to the ACC availability report. Abou Jaoude was initially listed as questionable due to a hand/wrist injury he sustained during the Tar Heels' Week 0 win over TCU, but he will not play against the Tigers on Saturday. Abou Jaoude is considered North Carolina's top defender after he led the ACC in sacks a season ago with 10.5. During the win over the Horned Frogs, he recorded four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. North Carolina is the No. 40-ranked defense in RotoBaller's Week 3 rankings.--Alex Brasky
Source: ACC availability report

Sep 19, 2026, 10:17 AM ET

After missing Week 1 with an MCL sprain, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was removed from the injury report and will make his 2026 debut in Week 2 on the road against the Ravens. Kamara is listed as a co-starter in New Orleans' backfield with fellow running back Travis Etienne Jr., but Kamara's exact usage remains unclear. The most likely scenario is that Etienne will handle early-down work and Kamara will see reps on third downs and passing downs. Etienne carried the ball nine times for 46 yards and recorded seven receptions for 32 yards in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. The mystery is which back will receive red zone and goal-line touches. With Kamara back in the fold, that likely also means a more limited role for Kendre Miller, who saw nine carries for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Kamara ranks as RotoBaller's No. 64 running back in Week 2 and is projected to score 4.4 points against the Ravens. It is probably best to leave Kamara out of your lineup in Week 2 to see how the backfield rotation works out.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 19, 2026, 10:10 AM ET

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt (undisclosed) has gone from doubtful to questionable to off the injury report entirely as the Tigers prepare for a heated rivalry matchup with Ole Miss on Saturday night. Leavitt did not practice on Wednesday, but followed that up by participating in a Thursday walkthrough before he was removed from the SEC Availability Report on Friday, clearing him for action against Ole Miss. Leavitt is RotoBaller's 3rd-ranked quarterback and is projected to score 30.6 points against the Rebels. Through two games, the Arizona State transfer has completed 62.1% of his passes for 574 yards and two touchdowns. He has also carried the ball 23 times for 135 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Ole Miss has allowed 243 yards passing per game through two weeks.--Alex Brasky
Source: SEC availability report

Sep 19, 2026, 10:03 AM ET

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) threw a one-inning, 20-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 43-year-old said that he felt great after this successful outing. This was yet another step in the right direction, as it was his first time throwing against live batters. What lies ahead in his progress remains to be seen, as the plan is for him to pitch one final time in his illustrious career on Saturday, September 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether or not he is able to throw one inning or more remains questionable, but with him retiring after this season, chances are he will be healthy enough to make that appearance and cap off one of baseball's greatest careers. With 266 wins and 3,554 strikeouts over 21 seasons, the surefire Hall of Famer will be looking to finish his career where it started: in Detroit.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: Chris McCosky